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speediq99's avatar
speediq99
Explorer II
Dec 10, 2021

5th wheel purchase advise - Solitude or Jayco

Hello,

We are ready to go from a 32ft TT to a 40ft 5th wheel. I was wondering if anyone could offer some insights. I know there are a lot of 'it depends' but I am looking for some feedback on how big or small the pros and cons listed below are in real life.

There will be two of us and a 65 lb golden. Children/adults 'may' drop by for a week or two a year. It will be full-time for 4-5 months in the summer. Parked the rest.

Options:

2022 Solitude 378
2022 Solitude 375
2021 Jayco North Point 382

Pros/cons of each

Solitude 378 Rear Living New 2022
Some options

+ Mid bunk, good for doggy, kids and offic
+ 3 ACs on it
+ 40 ft long
+ 1 gray and 1 black tank
+ Large walk-around in bedroom
- 72 inch bed slideout, not true king
- Limited counterspace kitchen
- Limited outside storage
- 1 bathroom
* Open floorplan

Solitude 375 Rear Living New 2022
Basic

+ Great windows/views
+ Good area for conversation
+ Lots of storage inside and out
+ Good kitchen counterspace
+ 1 gray and 1 black tank
+ 41ft long
- 1 bathroom
- 2 ACs
- 72 inch bed slideout, not true king
- Less walk-around space in bedroom
- Most expensive by 15-20k over others
- No doggy room or private space for kids
* Split floorplan

North Point 382 - Front Living used 2021
Loaded. 30 day use only

+ Comes with 5k generator
+ Factory warranty 12/24 months left
+ 85k vs. 110+ for others
+ 8k axles with disc brake
+ Dual pane windows
+ 3 ACs, Solar, awnings
+ On demand water heater
+ 1/2 extra bathroom.
+ Good storage inside and out
+ 75 inch slideout space for true king
- 44 ft long
- Limited views, no views out back
- Darker than the others, smaller windows
- 3 grays and 2 black tanks, double dump
- Smallish kitchen
* Split Floorplan

Any feedback would be appreciated.

MC

19 Replies

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  • southernsky's avatar
    southernsky
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2021
    Pick which ever one suits your fancy. The quality of all RV has really gone down lately with the big demand. Had a friend just buy a $140,000 trailer and has a whole list of problems.
  • Lightning55's avatar
    Lightning55
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2021
    I've owned a new Jayco and a Grand Design Reflection 5th wheel. My Reflection is much nicer in my opinion and the Solitude is even nicer. Better overall quality and tows better.
  • speediq99's avatar
    speediq99
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2021
    Thank you.

    We like NP. It feels that we are giving up views on the back but then again, they are outside the door.

    Curious to know what combo W/D you went with. NP is preplumbed for it so we may add it if we go this route. I heard a few combos not being so good.

    MC
  • Edd505's avatar
    Edd505
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2021
    speediq99 wrote:
    North Point new is 153k msrp
    Solitudes are 125-130k new

    I am just wondering if any of my pros and cons are significant or insignificant when it comes to living on these 5th wheels.

    MC

    First for me is the floor plan, how does it fit with your style of living? Floor space is also a consideration, I removed a couch and put in a second set of theater seats. I have no need for the fold out bed and we really don't want over night guests. My son has spent one night with us, on the floor.

    Looking at the ones you listed if I liked the North point floor plan I would grab it. What more major items can you add, 3 A/C's, solar, & the gen set & disc brakes. Only thing I can think of is a washer dryer. (I have a combo unit and love it for the two of us)
  • speediq99's avatar
    speediq99
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2021
    North Point new is 153k msrp
    Solitudes are 125-130k new

    I am just wondering if any of my pros and cons are significant or insignificant when it comes to living on these 5th wheels.

    MC
  • Edd505's avatar
    Edd505
    Explorer
    Dec 10, 2021
    2oldman wrote:
    Dual panes a must, and my advice is that the more expensive one will almost assuredly be better quality. I don't think Jayco is known for quality.

    North Points their top of the line. This is the one I would jump on, someone else to the "new" hit and it has everything including the gen set, solar, disc brakes. Here your comparing new to used so what was the North Point new? Over 100K.

    BTW I put disc brakes on mine last year and after having them I wouldn't be with out. The disc brake kits $2,000 plus $1000 install, I saved the $1000 and did my own.
  • speediq99's avatar
    speediq99
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2021
    The more expensive one is actually the North Point new at 152k msrp. The others msrp around 125k.

    MC
  • dieseltruckdriv's avatar
    dieseltruckdriv
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2021
    I agree, not having dual pane windows is a deal breaker for us.

    The Grand Designs we looked at before we bought our current 5er left us very underwhelmed. BUT, we are more interested in boondocking and dry camping than a lot of people are. Tank sizes and 12 volt outlets mattered to us, and the GDs didn't have very good offerings The North Points we looked at were slightly better. They both may have changed since then.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2021
    Dual panes a must, and my advice is that the more expensive one will almost assuredly be better quality. I don't think Jayco is known for quality.

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